Weiss holds team meeting after road skid

DENVER -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss called a team meeting Friday afternoon before the game with the Pirates and on the heels of a 1-9 road trip that was the worst 10-gamer in club history.

The Rockies entered the series with the Pirates -- the team with the Majors' best record -- just ahead of the last-place Giants in the National League West.

"It's just checks and balances, which is what it comes down to, just checking in with the guys," Weiss said. "These guys are competing. They're getting beat up a little bit. They're competing. You've got to fight through it. That's all."

Weiss said he did not discuss any strategic changes.

"Just pretty basic stuff," Weiss said. "I'm not going to get into what I said. We've got to figure it out, is what it comes down to."

It has been a long and frustrating fall for the Rockies, who began 13-6 and were tied for the division lead through May 24. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, whose rib injury in June was one of factors in the fall, said effort simply could not be an issue, even amid building frustration.

"Respect the game, play hard, finish strong, see what happens," Tulowitzki said. "Are you respecting the game? Are you putting in the work? As long as you don't slack, come every day to the field, trying to help the team win the game, that's all you can do."

Outfielder-first baseman Michael Cuddyer understood the need for a talk from the manager.

"One and nine is not good," Cuddyer said. "If you're going to have a talk, that's the time to have it.

"I don't know. We're not playing well. We're not clicking. We're not very good right now."

Weiss faced many tough situations as a player in the Majors with the Athletics, Marlins, Rockies and Braves from 1987-2000, but this is different.

"You're responsible for a lot more people," Weiss said. "As a player, you're responsible for yourself. Hopefully some of your teammates, you've got to have each other's back."